Supposin’ there was a natural disaster where thousands of your fellow citizens were killed and many hundreds of thousands more in dire need of assistance.

Supposin’ you were a blogger who just recently helped raise more than $400,000 in less than 3 weeks for a political candidate who called his former Commander in Chief a chickenhawk.

Supposin’ you had a choice between writing about ways to help the victims of this horrendous natural disaster or writing about how much you hate the President.

Supposin’ you had a choice between getting behind an heroic internet wide campaign to raise money in a completely bi-partisan manner for the people of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi or being a complete twit and nincompoop by trying to blame the President for An Act of God.

Of course, all of this is completely hypothetical, right? I mean, liberal bloggers are FAMOUS for their compassion, yes? They are RENOWNED for the oceans of tears they’ve shed for the poor, the oppressed, society’s “little people.”

Well…looks like compassion has taken a vacation on the left side of the sphere this week.

The mobilization of righty blogs to aid in disaster relief has been breathtaking in its speed and generosity. In fact, visiting sites like Instapundit and Michelle Malkin, one is in danger of being overloaded with information about various charities, websites for specific needs, and links, links links that connect to news about the disaster.

On the left, it’s bash Bush and let the devil take the people of the Gulf coast.

Let’s examine the top several blogs of both the left and right and see what people are talking about today, shall we?

CALLOUS CONSERVATIVE SITES (By Rank)

1. Instapundit has links to dozens of charities, information on corporate sponsorship, what other bloggers are doing as well as being the originator of the idea for the Hurricane Blog Burst set for tomorrow.

2. Michelle Malkin has worked tirelessly, posting hourly updates with valuable links to agencies and individuals to help find missing relatives, ways to help now, ways to help in the future, as well as posting some extraordinarily dramatic news reports that got everybody off their butt in the first place.

4. Powerline offers a link to Instapundit (why duplicate what’s been done already?) as well as giving some immediate historical perspective to the damaging storm by referencing the story of the 1927 Mississippi River flood – an event that some think was the greatest natural disaster in American history prior to Katrina.

5. The Captain also links to Instapundit was well as urging his 25,000 daily readers (many of them bloggers) to participate in the Blog Burst tomorrow.

10. Hugh Hewitt has been a traffic cop, directing readers and other bloggers to sites like NZ Bear who has set up a “Community of Katrina Relief Bloggers” with the blog name and the name of the charity they’ll be blogging for tomorrow.

Pretty impressive for less than 48 hours, eh? Let’s saunter over to the compassionate left and see what they’ve been up to, OK?

COMPASSIONATE LIBERAL SITES (By Rank)

3. Daily Kos. Bush bashing, Bush bashing, war bashing, an open thread for Bush bashing on the Hurricane, Roberts, and Bush bashing. While its true that Kos is bashing Bush in the context of the Hurricane, I wonder if, you know, it would have been better to wait until after the bodies cooled off a bit and people stranded in totally dark attics with water up to their necks were like, you know, rescued.

Atrios didn’t even bother with Hurricane relief. I mean, why let a silly natural disaster that’s taken the lives of thousands of your fellow citizens stand in the way of a good opportunity to score political points at the expense of dead bodies floating in raw sewage?

16. Kevin Drum. Bash the American people (for good reason). Bash Bush. Bash Bush. Bash Bush. I-Pod. Bash Bush. Drum didn’t even bother to bash the President using the Hurricane as context.

Just business as usual. Drum yawns and scratches his scrotum while people in Biloxi, Mississippi sit on the ground and weep about losing everything.

You’d think Ariana would plaster her dog-ugly blog with links to relief organizations and the like. I guess it’s just easier to sit on the sidelines and kibbutz while people in Slidell, Louisiana walk through waist deep water choked with debris and dead bodies.

Marshall should go back to sleep. Either that or at least express some emotion other than hate and disgust for the President. Come to think of it, I’m sure ole Josh doesn’t lose a minute of shut eye over the fact that tens of thousands of his fellow citizens (even if they are goober chewing yahoos from Red America) are without jobs and now live in areas where the likelihood of finding gainful employment so that they can feed their families over the next several months is just about zero.

The bile that’s been rising in my throat all day long has spilled out onto this post. I’ve watched over the last few years as the left has given aid and comfort to our enemies in Iraq, at times openly cheering for an American defeat on the field of battle just so that the President’s standing with the American people would be lowered and they could gain political advantage.

I can’t even speak to their rationalizing the looting going on in New Orleans. The kind of twisted logic it takes to encourage people to steal another’s property – not food mind you, but other people’s possessions – is I believe the most egregious example of cynicism and outright evil thinking that I have seen on the political landscape in 30 years.

And now the treasonous louts have been exposed for the hypocrites they truly are. When Bush bashing trumps the absolute vital necessity of pulling together as Americans so that we can save lives as well as property not to mention saving one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, then it’s time for those on the rational left to make a decision. Will you continue to support Kos and his midget-brained minions in their blindly striking out at anything Bush, or will you put your foot down and say “no more.?” I’m not saying join the Republican party. Hell, given some of the crap they’ve pulled recently I wouldn’t recommend anyone join them. But if you’re not willing to try and make a difference in your own party to cure this nauseating sickness of mind and soul, then you are just as guilty as any of the paranoid, dirty necked galoots who are running the Democratic party.

UPDATE

More on the compassionate left from Newsweek’s Howard Fineman who writes an entire article on how Katrina coming so close to 9/11 will be Bush’s “tipping point.” The Academic Elephants have a clue:

It had not occurred to me to cast the Katrina-9/11 pairing in political, rather than historical, terms until Fineman bravely blazed the trail. I can understand why he sees a link, but I think his conclusion is dead wrong. Fineman suggests that Bush needs to take a page from his brother’s playbook, and imitate Jeb’s response to the hurricanes that buffeted Florida last year. I maintain that Jeb was himself imitating his older brother—that same older brother who almost four years ago stood in the rubble of the World Trade Center and gave the famous “I Can Hear You…” speech. That is the Bush we will see over the next weeks—that we are already seeing, for that matter.

Absolutely spot on. You want to get political Howard? You should know by now that in times of national crisis people will rally to the President if he asks them to.

That’s Bush’s next speech. And you Howard, will look like you are engaging in wishful thinking instead of hardnosed political analysis which is what we assume Newsweek pays you for.

UPDATE

The Commissar has gone me more than one better as he compares side by side many of the same lefty blogs with righty blogs on hurricane relief coverage. This proves not only that great minds think alike but that they are also attached to extraordinarily good looking and successful people – at least from my end.

This concentration on Bush bashing instead of raising money for your fellow human beings who are in dire need has shown up in the starkest possible way.

Here are the total amount raised as of 6:30 PM central time today by the liberal blogad site and the NZ Bear mostly conservative sites:

Liberal: $124,700
Conservative: $488,000

Gee…do ya think that if Kos and Atrios had paused for a few hours to raise some money for desparate people rather than trying to score political points they wouldn’t leave themselves wide open to this kind of criticism?

You would think that the left would have a little more compassion in at least assisting those still trapped in the poorer sections of NOLA. After all they are the base of the Democratic Party. Not to give them any ideas, but with all that brain-power on the left, that someone there would start the demands that all the refugees being moved to Texas be allowed to register to vote, or if they were really swift, they would organize a super-duper refugee camp in Ohio and offer to take them all there, and then register them to vote etc…... With the intention of swinging a state.

Instead, they now risk losing all these potential voters. Or perhaps, looking at the coverage of the looting, they decided that they are not too interested in helping these folks into their neighborhoods.

It made me sick. His minions in the comments section were even worse. This is the comment I posted on his site:

It’s not really a time to politicize such a horrible tragedy, but do as you wish. (If I were in the mood to whine about politics right now, I’d go into a tirade about how you’re “trying to divide” us when we should be joining together)

I’m on the GOP mailing list, and received an email from Ken Mehlman, the chairman of the party, explaining in detail ways to donate. It appears that their web site is now full of relief information. I hope you are happy now. Perhaps their web design staff was slow? Perhaps they were still working on the best course of action when you visited the site? Perhaps they just didn’t jump into action fast enough. But instead, insulated by your bitter partisanship, you say:

“The devastation on the gulf coast offers the GOP nothing to advance its cause. Therefore, they officially ignore it.”

Even you should be able to poke holes through the faulty logic in this statement.

Write about whatever you want. This is your blog. However, to me it seems that your first priority is your political agenda.

Your blog is very popular, and a lot of people visit here. I think that if you focus your power, you could help a lot of people. Please consider dropping the partisan BS. There are plenty of blogs (left and right) that you could work with to coordinate some kind of campaign. I hope that you end up doing the right thing.

I have seen a couple of left blogs that do politicize Katrina and that is sad. However, I think that both sides will make polilical hay of this tragedy at some point. Hopefully the people who need help will receive it !

When disaster strikes anywhere on the globe, America is usually the first to offer help. But when disaster strikes America, who helps us out? So far, hardly anyone. Israel is offering to help assess structural damage. And Canada is offering…

Thanks again to all who participated in the Katrina Blog for Relief event, which N.Z. Bear says will now be extended into a Blog Relief Weekend—ending on Labor Day. Look for more info on how N.Z. and Hugh Hewitt are…

12

squidgie Said:
8:44 am

No, it’s not proper to assign “blame” for a natural disaster but there is also a disaster of social breakdown in NO and I can’t help thinking that all this perpetual blather about “oppression” that does not exist has given license to lawlessness under the circumstances. When you have political and cultural leaders agitating for “Steal this Book!” style anarchy, it shouldn’t be a big surprise that you get anarchy when circumstances permit. Jesse Jackson, RFK Jr, David Corn, I’m lookin’ at you.

13

Tongueboy Said:
9:21 am

And now the treasonous louts have been exposed for the hypocrites they truly are.

A word I would have not have used 1-2 years ago. Perhaps it is appropriate now, not to be hurled as a rhetorical bomb, but as a cold descriptor of objective truth. Very good essay.

As I look at all the foolish partisan rhetoric that has been spewed across the internet by the left in these last few Katrina-dominated days I can’t help but be disgusted. Every major leftist political blogger on the internet has largely eschew…

Katrina was unexpected and overwhelming for all. Blaming Bush for the aftermath doesn’t help the victims.

...

18

Rick Moran Said:
4:05 pm

Hesiod:

As of 4:00 PM Central…

Lib Blogs: $118,000

Conservative blogs: $448,000

Gee…Ya think if Atrios and Kos had spent as much time and effort trying to raise money rather than trying to pin blame on Bush that the lib blogs could have raised a little more money?

You raise half a mil for a ex serviceman who calls his commander in chief a chickenhawk (while running a commercial saying he supports him) and you can’t raise half a mil for your fellow citizens?

You disgust me.

19

JACK Said:
4:56 pm

I JUST SAW AN AD ON CNN ADVOCATING THE CONFERMATION OF JUDGE ROBERTS AND DECRTYING THE DEMS AS OBSTRUCTIONESTS. I WAS TOLD THIS AD IS ON EACH HOUR. MY GUESS IS 250000/SHOT. HOW MUCH REFUGEE AID COULD THAT AD BUY?

20

davek Said:
5:58 pm

When this is all over we can learn from it. If Bush really did raid the Army Corps budget for levee repair to pay for Iraq he must be held accountable. Until then, lets pull together, I have contributed and everyone else on this blog has too, right???? Right????

21

Holly Said:
8:30 pm

I, for one am SO SICK of the Bush-bashing! I love our President, and I am proud to have him as our leader. As for the people who have nothing better to do than blame him every time they sneeze…..GET OVER IT IT’S NOT HIS FAULT Use your time and energy more constructively, like raising money and praying for the victims!

22

Lynette Mahacek Said:
11:17 pm

Levees aside, although the Nuthouse explanation is not how I understood the information given out about the same. But I forgive your spin.
Again, levees aside, whatever the reason for their staying, it is unforgivable to leave people in the heat for 4 and 1/2 days without food or water. No excuse should be accepted for that no matter on which side of the political fence you sit.
The argument that the looters were too scary to bring it in is so bogus as hundreds of media were there and never talked of any danger to themselves.

Rightwing Nuthouse, aren’t you doing the same thing as the “Liberals” by dedicating your website to Left-wing bashing? You should know that a few opinions do not represent the beliefs of all Democrats. Looks like you have too much time on your hands… Letâ€™s focus on what really matters here â€“ saving lives.

The left seem to think that throwing their money into political campaigns is more valuable than helping disaster victims. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But the left can’t say that they care about the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and Bush doesn’t, wh…

26

Cynthia Said:
10:12 am

Something to chew on. Those of you who think that the elevation of people out of poverty in this country and around the world should not be a priority of civilized society should take heed to the goings on in New Orleans. When the walls fall down you will be nothing more than a good source of protein.

27

Troy Said:
11:15 am

I agree with many of the other posters, now is the time to rescue & rebuild, let’s start casting stones AFTER all of the victims of Katrina have been taken care of.

28

John Ellis Said:
2:25 pm

The usual plethora of spin attacking those who have criticized the appalling response to this disaster. As Harry Truman pointed out the buck stops here when you are president, it’s like being the captain on a ship. I think people can make up their own minds about how much leadership or not he displayed last week. Now of course his political operatives have sent him on the road for the obligatory photo ops. I have a feeling it is not going to eraze the memory of the events of last week.

29

Rick Moran Said:
2:42 pm

Hey John:

It’s not spin when people are wasting space on their blog to criticize the President when others are trying to raise money rather than defend him.

The righty blogs raised almost double what the lefty blogs did. Gee…ya think if they cared more about their fellow citizens than they did about goring the President that figure might have been reversed?

I have yet to read ONE liberal blog that was uplifting, encouraging or had anything positive or good to say about this disaster. No wonder they’re holding their cash.
If someone knows just ONE positive liberal blog, please let me know. I won’t hold my breath.

32

DEWEY FROM DETROIT Said:
11:50 am

IF CELINE DIONE REALLY FEELS THE LOOTERS DESERVE WHAT THEY LOOT,WHY DOESN’T SHE UNLOCK THE DOORS TO HER HOMES AROUND THE WORLD AND GO ON TV TO TELL PROSPECTIVE LOOTERS THE ADDRESSES…

33

capt Said:
2:59 pm

I too am most amazed at the left. I worked and survived 911 for 11 months. I have since developed cancer and beat it thus far. I manage to live on a reduced disability pention and social security, which I worked for and planed for all my life. I blame no one. The truth is after four surgeries, countless pain and all I suffered I would do it again. I could never turn my back on the people of nyc. I am qualified for many 911 handouts, I just refuse to avail on them. Call it personal pride, or call it not draining the tax payers of this country. I can’t see me taking a hand up because of a crisis, but I am not a liberal looking to buy an election, or controling mases of people through poverty to support their agenda. Life is much harder now, but beat up, cut up, and tore up, I am still a fighter. I will never be a major player, working for the city again, but I am struggleing with the books and schools again striving to better myself. I think the big difference is attitude and pride. I could never see me begging bread or living on handouts, and I refuse to take money from my hard working neighbors to live “equally” without giving something in return. I only wish we had reduced property taxes for the elderly and disabled. Over 40% of my pention is wiped out just to pay my taxes. I will never subscribe to this hand up mentality. One either has a work ethic of being part of a community and working to better themselves, reguardless of odds, or one feels they are above the common citizen and entitled to handouts because our government owes them a paycheck for existing. It all comes down to personal choices, pride, and work ethics, or dependency, and a welfare mentality of being owed something because one is an america citizen.